The Astros are going to give 3B Chris Johnson and C Jason Castro every chance to be in the Opening Day starting lineup.

Jason Hirsh, rhp Yankees 2004 Hunter Pence, of Astros 2005 Brian Bogusevic, lhp Astros 2006 Max Sapp, c Astros 2007 *Derek Dietrich, 3b Georgia Tech 2008 Jason Castro, c Astros 2009 Jiovanni Mier, ss Astros ASTROS LINKS W ant to build a farm system overnight? One glance at Baseball America's organization talent rankings suggests a proven template.

We took a look at the Magic Bullet Series for free agency. One of the Astros potential targets inked a two year contract with the Mariners.

Houston, you have a problem. A Your ballclub is bad, really bad. A The Astros, a perennial contender for much of the last decade, have fallen on hard times.

Astros icon Jeff Bagwell couldn't help but notice a large group of people lined up to get supplies outside a homeless shelter next to Minute Maid Park as he made his way to the ballpark on Saturday morning for a charity event.

Congratulations are in order for Michael Bourn. Yesterday, he became the first Astros outfielder since Cesar Cedeno in 1976 to win the Gold Glove.

Houston Astros The Astros curiously selected a slew of high school prospects with their top picks in 2009, signaling an end to their win-now ways.

Are you ready to be a champion? You are? I hope you know that championships are expensive, and, uh, well, the local baseball team is in kind of a bind.

As Astros right fielder Hunter Pence cranked eight home runs off Clay Buchholz yesterday at the Reebok Baseball Summit, the righthanded hurler sported an ear-to-ear grin.

Astros first baseman Lance Berkman admitted Tuesday afternoon he didn't know very much about his new boss, but that was exactly what made the announcement that Brad Mills was the new Astros manager so exciting.

Manny Acta. Brad Mills. Phil Garner. Dave Clark. These four, uninspiring names are supposedly the Four.

Acquiring a new catcher is probably the top priority this off-season. Gregg Zaun may not return, Dioner Navarro turned back into a pumpkin, and the other 40-man options are reserves at best.

Ned Yost says he knows how to turn around the Houston Astros . The former Milwaukee Brewers manager met with the team on Thursday, the third candidate to interview to become Houston's skipper next season.

Dave Clark and Al Pedrique will make their pitches today in hopes of becoming the Astros' next manager.

I've gotten lots of mail about my column advocating the hiring of Jim Fregosi. I'd guess about 75 percent of it is negative.

Ryan Madson reacts after striking out Houston's Hunter Pence to secure the Phillies' victoryon Tuesday night.

If it were up to Astros veteran first baseman Lance Berkman, interim manager Dave Clark would be back in a full-time role next year.

Miguel Tejada is no saint. He never has proclaimed to be one. He just happens to have had his problems exposed more than others in an era when some stars have been lucky to have had their true personalities or demons hidden from public view.

Astros general manager Ed Wade will have plenty on his plate this offseason, with the No.

You have to love the way Ryan Madson finished off Hunter Pence last night. With Pence representing the tying run, Madson threw a fastball strategically close to his squash, then placed a perfectly painted fastball on the outside corner, just like the one he froze Mike Cameron with on Sunday.